BABY Alicia Hall is enjoying her first taste of English life after an exotic entrance into the world.

Instead of being born at a local hospital, mum Andrea decided to give birth to her second daughter in Dubai.

Andrea and husband Stephen, along with Alicia and three-year-old daughter Lydia, returned to the UK in time to celebrate Alicias first birthday on Saturday and introduce her to her new home in Woodvale Road, Radcliffe.

Andrea (38) decided to give birth abroad when she went to join Stephen in Dubai last September where he works in IT. She had intended to return home in time for Alicia's scheduled November birthdate but decided to stay after midwives told her the country had the best medical care in the world.

Andrea explained: "I was a bit worried as I had never stayed in hospital abroad but the midwives here raved at how fantastic the standards would be and it was just amazing. They had every machine going, like 3D scanners, and it was like a hotel. I felt really at ease and quite happy to have Alicia there."

Alicia was born two weeks early in the American Hospital on November 12. The family stayed in Dubai throughout Andrea's extended maternity leave and are now readjusting to Radcliffe life as Andrea returns to her job as a group consultant for British Airways.